Respiratory mask



J. E, LE DUC RESPIRATORY MASK Filed July 14, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet `1 Inventor mi' 9, 1935. J. E E DUC Y www RESPIRATORY MASK Filed July 14, 1953 5 SheetS-Shee 2 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 14, 1935 Attorney Patented July 9, 1935 RESPIRATORY MASK `Joseph Edouard Le Duc, Outremont, near fMontreal, Quebec, Canada Application Ju`1y`14, 1933, serialivo. 680,441

V1V Claim.

" The present invention relates to improvements in respiratory masks and has particular reference to masks adaptable for surgeons and the like:

'An important object of the invention is the provision of a germ-proof mask designed to be comfortably fitted on the head of a wearer and to fully-protect both the wearer and the patient from contagion.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a respiratory mask ofthe above character which may be constructed at a relatively lowv cost.

i? Another object 'of the invention is the Vprovision of `a respiratory mask designed so that the constituent parts may be packed `in partly assembled `condition and final formation effected quickly and `easily immediately prior to use to -recluce exposure to contamination by handling.

Still another object of the invention is the prol vision of a mask of the above character having Vfilter packing through which respiration is ifected. if Another object of the invention is the provision of a respiratory mask `constructed so as to retain Vthe filter packing spaced from the mouth to obviate accumulation of moisture on and excessive direct pressure of respiration with respect tothe filtering medium.V -iAnother object of the invention is `the provision of-a respiratory mask constructed without the use' of adhesive or similar fastening means which might render sterilization of the mask difficult. Anothergobject of the invention is the provision of a respiratory mask embodying material which will absorb perspiration of the wearer to prevent dripping thereof during an` operation. i Another object of `the invention is the provision of la respiratory maskconstructed so as to absorb and prevent passageof blood or other liquid through the mask. A

` Another object of the invention is the provision `jof a respiratory mask which will so fit the wearer that respiration will `not cause accumulation of moisture on eye glasses worn by the person using the mask. e Another fobject of the invention is theV provision of a respiratory mask of compact construction which, although completely and eiectively covering the mouth and nose, will not forman unduly large `head wrapping. Y Other objects and advantages of the invention .will become apparent as the description progresses.

`In `the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like reference characters are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the samez- Figure 1 is a front perspective View showing the mask operatively attached to the head of la wearer,

Figure 2 is a top plan'view of the same,

Figure 3 is a plan View of the cover sheet in open arrangement,

Figure 4 is a similar view showing sheet folded in a doubled arrangement, e

Figure 5 is an interior plan view ofthe mask frame section,

Figure 6 is a similar View showing the frame section disposed onthe folded cover sheet,

Figure 7 is a similar view showing the lter packing disposed on the frame section, Y

Figure 8 is a similar view showing the illter packing wrapper in position,

vFigure 9 is a similar view showing disposition of the fastening tapes, e Figure 10 is a plan View showing the cover sheet in completely folded arrangement,

the initial Figure 11 is an end View showing the mask completely assembled in operative arrangement, Figure 12 is an enlarged section taken on the line I2|2 of Figure 4,

Figure 13 is an enlarged section taken on th line |3-l3 of Figure 8, Y

Figure 14 is a transverse section taken on the line lli-Ell of Figure 5,

Figure 15 is a Vsection taken on the line |5-l5 of Figure 6,

Figure 16 is a` longitudinal section taken on the line iti-i6 of Figure '7,

Figure 17 is a transverse section taken on line lll-ll of Figure 8, v f

Figure 18 is a transverse section taken on the line Iiii8 of Figure 10,

Figure 19 is a fragmentary plan View of fastening tape,

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A Figure V20 is a transverse section throughfthd frame in cupped form,

Figure 21 is a transverse sectional View through the mask in operative position on the wearer, and

Figure 22 Vis a perspective view showing the manner of packing the masks for distribution.

Referring to the drawings, wherein for Vthe purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodirnent of the invention, the numeral 25 generally designates` the exterior cover sheetA of the mask, preferably formed of gauze which may be provided with a thin covering of absorbent cotton or the like on one face or, may constitute gauze which has been subjected to a crimping operation. i

As-shown to advantage at Figure `3,7the cover sheet 25 is preferably stamped or embossed to form nose fitting indentations 2li.v Adjacent vthe indentations 2B the sheet is also preferably provided with openings 21. Prior toassembly, the sheet 25 is tobe folded upon the creased transverse folding lines a so that it assumes the doubled form shown at Figure 4.

the cover Upon the doubled sheet 25 is positioned a frame section 29 preferably formed of relatively rigid material such as cardboard or the like. As shown to advantage at Figure 5, the frame 29 is initially of relatively fiat elongated form, indented at the ends and provided at the central end edges with ears Sii. In the side portions of the frame are cut or stamped arcuate longitudinally disposed slits 3l, preferably four slitsA arranged to denne an approximately oval-shaped central portion and longitudinal side margins. On the transverse centre, adjacent the side edges, the mask is embossed to form nose fittingy depressions 32. The corner portions are also embossed, as indicated at 33, for the purpose of strengthening these parts of the frame. I also consider it advantageous to form arcuate scoring lines 32 at the centre portion of the frame between adjacent ends of the slits 3l as Well as scoring lines 33 between the outer ends of the slits and the end edges to facilitate cupping of the frame and forming a snug nose fitting contour of the side margins.

As shown at Figure 6, the frame 29 is layed upon the central portion of the doubled cover sheet and the end margins of the` sheet folded over on the crease lines b. A filter packing, generally indicated at 35, is then disposed on the upper inside face of the Vframe, this packing embodying a filtering medium, preferably pellets of absorbent cotton, substantially covering the inner side of the frame and especially the four slits 3l. The ltering pellets are retained in proper position against the inner face of the frame by means of a wrapper sheet 36, preferably formed of gauze or very thin material, the pellets being more or less loosely disposed between the wrapper and the frame.

The next step in assembly of the mask consists in arranging a pair of fastening tapes 38 on the mask, the tapes preferably embodying elongated strips of cloth or other suitable material` The central portion of each tape is indicated by a circular mark 3G so that this marked part of the tape may be disposed on an indicating mark 3| upon each mask ear E@ to enable rapid and proper disposition of the tapes across the mask, as shown at Figure 9. Y

The end margins of the cover sheet are then folded inward on creased lines c.

The side margins of the cover sheet are thereafter folded inwardly on creased lines d, soras to cover the major portion of the Ymask frame and filter packing and forming, between the adjacent folded edges, a relatively narrow mouth receiving slot, as shown to advantage at Figure 10. By interlacing the tapes 38, as illustrated at Figure 1Q, and drawing the tapes, the mask, including the Ycover sheet and the frame section, is bent in cupped-shaped configuration as illustrated at Figures il and 20 forming a mask structure adapted to snugly 'cover the mouth and nose of a wearer. As shown at Figure 21, the lower portion of the mask will underlie the chin, the mouth will register with the central slot in theV mask while the apertures 2'? will be disposed in registration with the nostrils in order that respiration through the nose and mouth will be effected through the filter packing 35. Y

As the multi-folded end portions of the cover sheet are gathered quite tightly at the ends to accuser practically exclude respiration therethrough, the respiration through both the nose and mouth is effected through the slits 3| in the mask frame and through the lter packing disposed thereover. Thus, the slits in addition to forming a bending contour in the cupping of the mask function as breathing vents.

A particular advantage of the present mask construction is found in the fact that, in addition to its germ-proof emciency, the elements composing the same are quite inexpensive so that the mask may be discarded after use without rendering such a practice unduly costly. Furthermore, the method of assembly enables sanitary handling.

When the mask is to be used for a surgical operation the assembled elements, as shown at Figure 8, are unwrapped in the operating room and completion of the assembly effected therein, the nurse or attendant arranging the tapes on the mask, as shown at Figure 9, folding the end and side margins of the cover sheet over onto the inner marginal surface of the frame and packing, and thereafter contracting the tapes to cup the mask. At this stage of assembly the mask may be sterilized in a pasteur oven 0r other suitable sterilizing medium before attachment to the head of the surgeon. Thus, undue handling of the mask prior to its attachment is avoided and the structure maintained in a sanitary condition. Upon lcompletion of the particular operation the tapes 3B are removed from the mask and the remainder of the mask destroyed.

I contemplate packing the masks in packages of for instance two dozen masks with one pair of tapes, the tapes being used for the complete package of masks in order to reduce to a minimum the cost thereof. I also suggest that the gauze cover sheet 25, of porous fabric to be Vused forthis sheet, be creased along the fold lines a, b, c, d, in order to facilitate proper formation and assembly of the mask.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is to be taken asa preferred example of the same and that various changes as to the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claimt- A respiratory mask comprising an elongated frame of substantially rigid material, the said frame having longitudinally extending slits formed therein and nose and chin accommodating embossings, a layer of absorbent filter pellets covering the inner face and slits of the frame, wrapper adapted to maintain the pellets layer in position on the frame, a pair of fastening tapes arranged across the ends of the frame, and a wrapping sheet of doubled porous fabric covering the outer face of the frame and folded over the Ymarginal portion of the frame and packing, said sheet having breathing apertures at the top and bottom' interlacing of the tapes being adapted to draw the mask into cupshaped conguraticn for covering the mouth and nose of a wearer and forming a filtering chamber in the center of the mask directly opposite the mouth.

` JOSEPH EDOUARD LE DUC. 

